Celiac Rant-of-the-Day: Don’t be Such an Ass to My 6-Year-Old Celiac!

I think we can all agree that having celiac disease pretty much sucks at any age.

But when a child is diagnosed, it just adds an extra layer of suckness to it.

And you would think that people would go out of their way to make this child feel “normal”.

You would think…but alas, some people just don’t get it.

Which leads us to today’s Celiac Rant of the Day.

What would you say to the insensitive in-law if given the chance?

My son is six years old and was diagnosed two months ago. We are trying to make the experience as positive for him as we can.Some of my inlaws are already some of the most insensitive people but I’d thought they would show restraint with a child. Not so. They regularly have three varieties of cake sitting out, gluten containing items everywhere, no one makes an effort at all.So it came as no surprise when my sister-in-law told me in front of the entire family and my child, that she had given her son a gf hotdog, followed by eye rolling and a disgusted comment that it didn’t go well.

While annoyed with her for implying in front of everyone that gf food is nasty, I kept my cool and asked what brand she gave him and explained that most hotdogs are already gluten free and shouldn’t have a different taste. She said she didn’t remember.

Later, concerned I emailed her a list of gluten free hotdogs including Kroger brand, Oscar Meyer, and the like. She replied with a text that said, “I don’t think it was the hotdog, I think it is the way we cooked it in water not in the microwave. He didn’t even taste it!”.

Then why in the world did you make a specific negative comment in front of everyone and my child insinuating that he didn’t eat it because it was gf and gross?!?!?

Need to Vent?

I hate celiac. You hate celiac. We all hate celiac.

With all that pent up anger, people need a place to vent.

Well…I invite you to lie on the Dude’s couch (figuratively speaking) and spew away.

There’s just one rule: Once you’re done venting, you need to move forward and put the negative vibes on the back burner. Positive energy brings positive results.

25 Comments

Donna

I prefer hotdogs cooked in water or burned on the grill. The idiot must have told the child that it was a “different” or “special” kind of hotdog pretty much letting him know that it was going to taste like Sh*! so he thought it tasted like Sh!*!!!!!!!! Some people are sooo insensitive that it makes me want to vomit!!!!!! My mother in law does the same thing. Every Easter she makes Ricotta Cheese Pie…my favorite. So I asked her to make me one with no crust cuz everything else in the recipe is gf. What does she do? She makes me a pie that is not even a quarter of an inch thick. I had to cute 5 slices (almost the whole pie) to make a “full” slice of pie. I mean I appreciated that she made it for me…I really did, but…what the F? She will also cook a roast or a turkey in a browning bag. Those of us that use browning bags know that you have to put some flour in the bag. Mind you, I have given her a whole bag of gf flour for just such occasions. She uses regular flour and then has the cahonas to tell me that the “Flour is only on the outside. Just scrape it off”. OMG….Is it stupidity? Is it just being uncaring? I have no idea. But, I just wanted to let you know that you are NOT alone when it comes to stupidity in the family! Good luck!

call me anonymous today

OMG, MY MIL does this TOO. The one year she raved about how she spent $50 on an organic GF turkey and then I walked down to the restroom, passed the kitchen and witnessed her putting white gluten flour in the bag!

The Killer? She doesn’t even serve the whole turkey for looks! NOOOOooo we carve it up ahead of time, put the meat in a pan and then have a buffet!

Jen M.

You know what? I’m not even going to take stupid comments about adult celiac personally anymore. If it is in human nature for someone to be insensitive to a child about having a disease, then there probably isn’t much hope for ever enlightening segment because they’re just bad people who won’t ever get it (unless it happens to them).

Amy -The Quirky Gluten Free Runner

We have separated ourselves from those who don’t understand. After years of trying to educate them (a little) and all, it’s just not worth our sanity or blood pressure to deal with people who are willing to just decide something is “too tough” to figure out.

Skye M.

I agree with Amy that we just separate ourselves from those who don’t love me or my son enough to make the effort to understand. Kinda hard to do when it’s family, but in the end you have to do what’s best for you and your child’s physical and emotional health. If they want to, they’ll make an effort. If they don’t, it’s still their decision to separate themselves from you, not yours, so you’re off the hook on guilt as far as I’m concerned.

Diana

After years of hearing such stupid remarks, I no longer let people get away with it. Most of us are taught not to be rude, but sometimes you just have to answer in kind. You should have asked her if she knows how to cook a hot dog. As you can see when you asked for the brand she couldn’t answer because even she knew it was a stupid thing to say. When I first started on my gluten free diet, my mother and sisters used the “I couldn’t remember what you couldn’t eat so we just made what we like”. I told them that I wouldn’t be back till they figured it out. It didn’t take too long and my not going to anything they were having, for them to read a label and ask a question. If you have to be with your inlaws, make your son some special treats and bring them with you. He will feel special and hopefully your inlaws will wise up.

WELL I certainly can relate. My son and I are severe Celiacs who don’t consume dairy because we also cannot digest it. At a Christmas party that my grandmother throws and insists I go to (even though we’re Muslim), she fed my son a COOKIE. Within five minutes, he had severe watery diarrhea and became listless, ruining his outfit we had just bought AND scaring me half to death. Needless to say we had to leave early anyway, but before I left, I stood up in front of everyone and scolded her. Yep. I had to scold my 72yr old grandmother. In front of the entire family. And THAT my friends, is how you get a douche to stop being a douche. I was tired of her harming my son all the time and making a mockery of our disease, and if she didn’t care about us and our feelings, she certainly would care what other people thought! Now? She won’t give him anything without asking first

The Gluten Dude

Miss Dee Meanor

Ran across this yesterday and thought of things we’ve ranted about in this community. Michael Ruhlman, a chef and judge on the popular show “Iron Chef” interviewed a food blogger who lives with Celiac Disease. It doesn’t encompass everything, but hopefully it is a start to educate chefs on the seriousness of cross-contamination in their kitchen and the realization that this is NOT the latest fad diet. This is the type of media exposure that is needed.

The Gluten Dude

MissyMoo

Alternatively, invite everyone around for dinner, make EVERYTHING gluten free and make a show of giving your son a “special plate” with him knowing full well it’s not different to theirs. THEN as they’re leaving be like ‘oh by the way it was all gluten free you freaks’.

Diane Humphrey

Kara

My son is 2 1/2 years old and was diagnosed at 18 months with celiac disease, I have it as well. I could rant here for hours about the awful time we had finally getting him a proper diagnosis but I will save that for a later date. What I am dying to rant about today is people who claim they care and take it seriously but really don’t. What I find myself getting most upset about is when my son is made out to be different and straight up left out. My step mom was the first to run out and buy all the gluten free cookbooks and baking books when he was first diagnosed but has she made anything to date, nope. What’s worse is she brought out a tray of GLUTEN FULL goodies for desert after christmas eve supper. My son looks at me and says in his sweet innocent little voice. “I have cookie?” I say, “No sweetie you can’t’ and he says, “Make me sick.” I mean how terrible is that to hear. I am so worried for him having a life of feeling left out by his own family. I try to state how unfair it is to him (I could care less about me not having any, but he’s a kid) but my family says I should think more about family and less about the food. Excuse me but our lives REVOLVE around the food.

Donna

Oh Kara…It sounds like you have one smart little man and you should be very proud of him!!!!!! I am proud and he’s not even MINE!!!!! It sucks that we HAVE to go to all the family events and sit there like F-ING lumps while everyone enjoys the delicious gluten filled food!!!!! One of my coworkers actually said to me that if SHE had CD she would eat that donut or cookie anyways!!!! I said, well good for you but I”M not eating it because I KNOW what I’m going to feel like and HOW FREAKING LONG I’m going to feel that way! See…..I”M going off on another rant!!!!! LOL! Good luck with the little man!!!! Sounds like you are doing a great job….keep up the good work!

Kara

Thank you so much! Isn’t it the worst when people suggest just a little won’t hurt. Can’t even count how many times I have heard that. I try to make comparisons to other allergies, like would you say that to someone with a peanut allergy? No of course not.
My reaction to being suggested to just try a little is, “No thanks, it’s not worth me sh*tting my pants.”

It’s so easy to rant about the stupidity of people who don’t get this allergy. I could scream until I’m blue in the face, and they still wouldn’t get it. Or they would just accuse me of over reacting.

Ashley

The most frustrating comment I have ever heard was to a friend of mine about my 12 year old son. He has Celiac and was going on a trip with a large group and the leader actually said “his mom has him on that fad GF diet, I’m sure we can let him eat pizza with the rest of the group.” My friend thankfully told him it as no fad diet, but very serious! It is so aggravating to have to explain to everyone what celiac is and why he can’t just eat what everyone else is eating!

Emich

This is so infuriating! Several of my family members have celiac disease, and I have certain dietary restrictions as well, and people’s reactions would lead you to believe that you are committing a mortal sin for preserving your (or your child’s) health. I feel very lucky knowing that if my future kids have food sensitivities, my mom will at least know what’s up. I don’t understand for the life of me why people attach some sort of moral code to what we do or do not eat. In my home, I will always ALWAYS accommodate guests who cannot eat certain foods.

G-Dude Approved Promotions

Save $$ – Gluten-Free Coupons

Join the Crowd

Subscribe to My Blog Posts

Testimonials

You and your site have saved me from the nut house! It was such a relief to hear other voices and experiences from people I could relate to. Struggling through health issues and trying to eat gluten free can make a person feel a tad…alone. This community makes a person feel like they are apart of a larger family. Your time and effort is truly appreciated!

Jennifer

Who is Gluten Dude??

Somebody who's been gluten-free since 2007 due to a diagnosis of Celiac disease, where the doc said my numbers were "off the charts". Someone who can steer you in the right direction when it comes to going gluten-free. And someone who will always give you the naked truth about going gluten free.

I didn’t find freedom, a better life or any of that other crap when I got diagnosed. With all due respect to Hunter S. Thompson, I found fear and loathing of an unknown world. But if I can share my wisdom, tell my stories and make the transition easier on you, I’ve done my job.